Outer East league 2023: Narre Warren edges Wandin to make grand final in Premier division

You almost need a calculator to add up all of Narre Warren’s grand final appearances this century. But the Magpies have extra motivation to win this flag. Here’s why.

Narre Warren coach Shane Dwyer will finish up after the grand final. Picture: Valeriu Campan

You almost need a calculator to add up all of Narre Warren’s grand final appearances this century.

The Magpies edged Wandin by three points in a tense second semi-final on Saturday to advance to the flag decider in Outer East league’s Premier Division.

Led brilliantly by Hamish West, Peter Gentile and Brad Scalzo, the Magpies held on to win 9.10 (64) to 9.7 (61) at Officer.

Stunningly, Narre Warren’s senior side has played off in a grand final in 2002, ‘05, ‘06, ‘07, ‘08, ‘10, ‘11, ‘12, ‘13, ‘17, ‘18, ‘19, ‘22 and now ’23.

That’s 14 GFs in 21 years.

Eight premiership have come in that time.

Narre Warren’s Brad Scalzo.

Tom Toner.

This season’s decider will also be coach Shane Dwyer’s swan song; he’s stepping down to spend more time with the family and put more time into work.

Dwyer is a revered figure at Narre Warren, a premiership player and coach who bleeds black and white.

He’d dearly love to sign off with another flag.

Dwyer says this season’s Narre side has extra drive to go all the way.

“We’re a very different group to last year,” he said.

“Last year I had seven guys from the grand final side not play this year.

“We were a bit worried how we were going to cover all (of them) but we’ve sort of done it from within, (the) twos boys from last year, they get a chance to play in a senior premiership.”

Narre Warren dropped only one game last season as it romped off with the premiership but the Magpies have had to work harder for their success this time around.

“Last year we sort of beat everyone pretty comfortably bar one slip up,” Dwyer said.

“Whereas this year has been a lot harder so there’s no complacency or anything like that, especially now after yesterday.”

Shane Dwyer after coaching Narre Warren to the 2022 Outer East flag.

Narre Warren took a 10-point lead into the final quarter but Wandin grabbed momentum and hit the front.

It took a Tommy Miller goal, from a snap, to put the Magpies back in front late in the game — and then it was all about gripping on.

“It was pretty tense there for a long time,’’ Dwyer said.

“It was a good game, we didn’t play very well. They’re a good side.

“It was good to get in (to the grand final) and have another week off and watch them play next week.

“I think we’ll be playing them (Wandin) again, they’re a good side, a very good side.’’

Tom Toner slotted three goals, while Lachlan Benson, Hayden Johnson and Miller were also in the best.

For Wandin, Joel Garner, Patty Bruzzese, Clinton Johnson, John Ladner, Cole Steiner and Todd Garner impressed.

Dwyer said it was “probably a good time’’ to step down as coach, with Narre Warren considering relocating to another league.

“We’re a bit unsure where we are going to end up, what we’re doing with leagues…so I’ll let someone else take over,’’ he said.